Are You a Weekend Warrior?

I am so happy to be teaming up with several of my blogging buddies share some tips, tricks, and ideas. Introducing,

My blogging friends and I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite tips, tricks, strategies, and ideas each month. We will feature two posts each month on the selected theme. So, without further adieu, let's get Mathematical May, the Saturday edition, started!

I thought I would get things started by sharing my all time favorite, go to math filler...game boards!

When I say filler, I mean activities that my students can use once we finish our regular math lesson. Our district requires that we cover math in a 70 minute block each day. Sometimes, our adopted curriculum does not take this long (and sometimes, it does).

Game boards are the perfect solution to filling the time because:

They are easy to prep.

They can sit out for weeks at a time (I change mine out at the beginning of each month).

You can use as many, or as few, game boards as you like.

They are a great way to practice/reinforce basic math fact practice and/or other skills.

The students work in pairs which develops their cooperative learning skills.

The students practice the skill of following directions to complete a task.

The students are given the opportunity to use math tools appropriately.

They are hands-on and engaging.

They store easily when not in use (file them or put them in a magazine holder).

The kids absolutely love them!

I always have the game boards and their materials prepped and ready to go. Each month, I set out four different games. I typically make 3-5 copies of each game board. This allows for plenty of choice/options for the students once the boards are in use.

I place each game board and a baggie with the necessary materials into a small tub. The students can easily grab a board and a baggie and begin playing. I usually let each pair of students choose the game they want to play and they are free to trade for a new game once they finish their first game (and if time permits).

Many of the game boards I use are freebies! Here are a few of my favorites.

These Bump games from Sunny Days are the best! To play, the students use dice to add three addends. The boards are free and there is a different theme for each month. Each month I put this game out and the kids never, ever get tired of playing. Click here to visit Sunny Days on TpT and search "Bump" using the Quick Find option once you are on her page.

Five in a Row is another popular game with the students. There is a different theme for each month, and although the rules of the game never change, the boards do. Best of all the kids never tire of them and they are free! You can grab a copy of all the available boards by visiting the posts they are shared in. Just click here. :)

I also love the game boards that Lory Evans creates. The games are high interest and the kids always love them. Lory has a ton of amazing options (and many of them are free), so be sure to visit her TpT store and check them out!

If game boards are new to you, I highly encourage you to give them a try! They really are a great way to reinforce those basic skills while keeping your students engaged and on task. Plus, they are so easy to prep and maintain.

Now, if you've read this far, you are in for a treat! To celebrate the kick off of our new hop, I'm giving away $10 worth of products from my TpT store to one lucky reader! Simply fill out the Rafflecopter below.